Museum Live Animal Coordinator

Position Title Museum Live Animal Coordinator (Hourly) REQUISITION #: req8313 Department Cultural Services LOCATION: MUSEUM/DISCOVERY CENTER Benefit Category Variable Hourly View Classifications & Benefits Employment Type Part-Time Hourly Flsa Status Non-Exempt Hourly Rate $18.00 per hour Selection Process Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 2/13/2026 The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer Background Check Required • (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position) While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado. At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role. To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) is an AAM-accredited (American Alliance of Museums), and ASTC-affiliated museum (Association of Science-Technology Centers), that occupies a pivotal space in the cultural and educational life of our region and creates extraordinary opportunities for visitors to engage with experiences that explore the interplay of science and culture in ways that are deeply relevant to our community, our geography, and our shared history. FCMoD works within the philosophy of the Adaptive Network Model, an organizational model designed to leverage the talent and expertise across the museum team as well as facilitate greater integration of partnerships with community experts through an adaptive lens. The Adaptive Network Model is rooted in the organization working as a whole system and prioritizing communication for understanding. Shifting the understanding from “my work” to “our work”, from “my success” to “our success” deepens our appreciation and celebration of our shared goals. Further, FCMoD promotes a team environment where curiosity, not certainty, informs our work. The Live Animal Coordinator will utilize this mindsetto successfully cultivaterelationships, foster collaboration, and support a culture of trust with colleagues, partners,and stakeholders. The Museum Live Animal Coordinator reports to the Associate Director and works closely with other staff and external partners in providing the best possible care for the live animal collections of FCMoD. The collection includes small mammals, reptiles, arthropods, fish, amphibians, and bees. Through a partnership with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the museum is also home to two live black footed ferrets. A working MOU with the Fish & Wildlife Service governs the care and upkeep of the ferrets. The Live Animal Coordinator has two main areas of responsibility: 1) Providing overall coordination of the daily husbandry of the live animal collection including scheduling and overseeing the work of a small team of Live Animal Assistants and volunteers, as well as acquiring the supplies needed for animal care. 2) Ensuring that the live animals play an integral part in the overall FCMoD programming plan by attending certain weekly meetings to coordinate programming efforts. The top candidate will be expected to have experience working with animals and knowledge of basic animal husbandry needs, but will follow official protocols and work with our outside partners in making decisions on the health of the animals in the collection. The top candidate must be a “self-starter” with a strong customer service ethic, the ability to analyze situations and troubleshoot problems, and deliver appropriate solutions with a bearing of patience and level-headedness. This position requires experience and comfort delivering educational programming to the public. Being a team player and communicating effectively with colleagues and staff members in other departments is critical to this position. Essential Duties & Responsibilities • Responsible for daily husbandry of FCMoD’s live animal collection, including cleaning of animal housing, feeding and monitoring the health of the animals. • Schedule and direct the work of hourly Live Animal Assistants and volunteers in the daily operations of live animal husbandry. • Maintain and update as needed policies and procedures for the successful husbandry of the live animal collection. • Liaison with US Fish and Wildlife representative to coordinate care and communication about black footed ferrets. • Liaison with outside partners for all critical husbandry questions and protocols. • Ensure that adequate resources are in place for daily care of live animals. • Responsible for acquisition of necessary supplies for live animal husbandry. • Participate in weekly Network Team meeting and other meetings as needed with museum colleagues to ensure live animals are represented in the overall museum experience. • Coordinates with other museum programming staff for the use of live animals in public programming. • Ensures proper training in handling of live animals used for public programming. Supervisory Responsibilities This position trains, schedules, and oversees the work of Live Animal Assistants and volunteers. City Competencies • Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds. • Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends. • A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations. • A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; extended periods of walking and moderate physical activity required. Use hands to feel and manipulate tools and materials, and reach with hands and arms. Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Qualifications The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Knowledge of animal care and handling for a variety of small animals including arthropods, small mammals, fish, and amphibians. • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, able to analyze situations, responding quickly to deliver effective solutions. • Ability to follow written and oral instructions. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers. • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. • Ability to keep and maintain accurate records. • Ability to comfortably interact and communicate with the public which includes ages ranging from toddlers to senior citizens and people with a wide variety of abilities. • Knowledge of basic computer skills such as email, and Microsoft Word and Excel. VALUES-BASED BEHAVIORS • Listens attentively to others. • Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and assumptions. • Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers. • Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development. • Comes to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on commitments; meets deadlines. • Collaborates with other work groups and outside organizations as appropriate, in a proactive and responsive manner. • Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. • Protects the proprietary and confidential information of FCMoD. • Follows rules, regulations, and policies. • Positively contributes to problem solving and implementing changes. Education & Experience High School diploma or GED and 1-2 years of proven experience and success working with and caring for a range of live animals or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience working in a museum environment a plus. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret instructions, timelines, and standard business documents. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedural guides. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from co-workers and the public. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS • A valid driver's license is required. The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance. Notice Regarding Medical And/or Recreational Marijuana Use Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy. Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law. The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation. POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position) Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.